Robustelli shines at nationals

Local dwarf car driver Camden Robustelli would not be denied on April 27.

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By DAN JONES

MailTribune.com

By DAN JONES

Posted May. 2, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By DAN JONES

Posted May. 2, 2014 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

Local dwarf car driver Camden Robustelli would not be denied on April 27.

The North Medford freshman put together the performance of a lifetime at Santa Maria Speedway that day, leading the Western States Dwarf Car Association nationals A main from start to finish en route to the biggest victory of his young career.

It's the start of a smooth transition from go-kart racing to dwarf for the 15-year-old, who picked up his new ride from D&R Chassis last summer. He gave it a run several times during the final stretch of last season's Southern Oregon Speedway schedule and is fully committed to the class now.

The decision to go with dwarf racing was based on the class size in White City, Robustelli says.

"It was more competitive," he says.

Robustelli opened this season with a minor wreck at Yreka, Calif., on April 19 before heading south to Santa Maria for the California Dwarf Car Racing Association event with his father Jason and grandfather Jim. He led several laps but spun out the night before the featured race, putting him in the back of the fast dash the next day. Robustelli defied the order and got a major confidence boost by capturing second.

"It felt good," he recalls. "I felt like I had a winning car."

Robustelli was ready to roll in the main — he started on the outside front row and led from beginning to end.

The California race is part of a three-event series that visits Southern Oregon Speedway on Aug. 8. The series also includes a stop in Marysville Sept. 26.

The race in White City will be a big one, Robustelli says.

"A lot of my family didn't get to go to the race since it was a 10-hour drive, so it will be nice for them to see me," he says.